This blog post is a bit unfortunate that it has to be written, but it only adds to the adventure. Essentially, I got knocked out in Muay Thai training and had a fun little visit to the emergency room for some stitches. This is the story:

So I was sparring in the afternoon session of training. It was around 5:30pm and I was sparring against this big guy I had sparred before. He’s probably 6′ 4″ 240 lbs. He’s a pro fighter from Canada. Real nice guy. I’ve had a lot of great conversations with him. Being that big he generally takes it easy sparring and it helps.me learn a lot. Today was different. Right from the get go his punches were heavy and he was putting some real gusto behind his hits. I was doing well.. Like literally getting destroyed. I was backpedaling after each blow. I remember he had me almost off the mats and I was trying to fight back on and he was just obliterating me. That was the last thing I remember.

Then I woke up. Not sure how long I was unconscious for. I apparently fell and hit my head on the concrete. There was a puddle of blood next to me and there was a crowd of people around me. My skin pads, ankle supports, handwraps, gloves, and mouth guard were already off me, so I must have been out for sometime. Then people started asking my name, where I was. Next thing I know the ambulance is there. I couldn’t remember anything, but people helped me gather my stuff and I got in the ambulance. When I got up I realized how badly hurt I was. I don’t know if anyone reading  this has been knocked out, but every nerve and my neck and arms down into my chest even was killing. Like this throbbing pain that just makes you want to roll around with a strained face.

Then, at the hospital I laid there and and I started to remember things. I remembered in the ambulance I was trying to figure out how I was going to get home that night and I couldn’t even remember where I lived… Literally no relection of how to get there. Another scary thing was they had to cut some of hair to make room for stitches. No idea how much, I just know some is gone. Then I got some stitches and they gave me a shot. I tried to ask what the shot was for and all they said was “bacteria.” Seemed like a decent thing to get a shot for I reckoned. A guy from the gym rode with me and he paid for all the medical expenses because I had no clue what was going on. The gym manager showed up to.

I got some X-rays done and my skull wasn’t fractured so that’s good. Then I was handed some pills. I left shortly after with the gym manager. I honestly don’t have a good idea of what I’m supposed to do. No idea how long I’m out for.. How to shower with the bandage on my head? General procedurial stuff couldn’t be communicated because of the language barrier. So there was no consultation. I’m  just left to figure it out I guess.

When leaving with the gym manager, I got on the back of his moped and we immediately got onto the highway. All I was thinking was, I’m not wearing a helmet, and I just had a major head injury. If I fall off I’m dead… Luckily I made it home, and at this point I am at home and the pain meds are starting to kick in so the throbbing is easing a little.

When I first looked in the mirror at home I noticed a new black eye. It’s not that bad but adds to the story! The next day I wlaked to the gym to talk to people and check out the blood stain on the concrete. They already had it mostly cleaned, so that was a bummer. I also found my blood stained mouth guard in the pocket of my shorts so just by looking at that I could tell I didn’t do that well sparring…

All in all, the trip to the emergency room which included an ambulance ride, x-rays, stitches, a shot, and 4 different types of meds only cost me the US equivilant of $113.11. In the United States an accident like this would be enough to bankrupt the rest of my trip. So thankful for the inexpensive, yet still quality Thai healthcare. I’m also thankful that it wasn’t any worse. It could have been much worse, so I’m thankful just to be alive!

3 days removed my shoulders are still killing me and I’ve been advised by my doctor sister-in-law to get an MRI done to make sure the spine is all good and see what is the cause of this potential nerve damage. I guess there are potential long term consequences at stake. So tomorrow morning I’ll be handling that.

Check back at some point for an update on my ever evolving health situation.

Thursday night after evening training one of the trainers let me know that one of our other trainers was fighting that tonight at a local stadium. When someone from your gym fights the thing to do is buy a ticket, which they sell at the gym, to support the fighter. Most people from the gym bought a ticket and so I did the same. After a quick shower and a meal I headed out to get to the stadium. My bike has been a lifesaver, especially since this trip was still about 40 minutes by bike!

The first fight essential was a match up of what I estimate to be 11 year olds. They had them listed on the bout sheet as 102 pounds, but there wasn’t a chance either of them was over 80 pounds. The only thing I could think of was my job last summer working at a summer camp. I thought about the 11 year olds there and then I thought about the 11 year olds here. The reality for these kids to so incredibly different. A lot of kids start fighting because their family is struggling and they can’t afford to go to school. So to help the family out they start training in a gym in the hopes of getting enough fights to earn money to send back to their parents. Makes me, once gain, feel blessed for all the opportunities in my own life that I have been blessed with! I can only imagine the long term detrimental effects fighting that young causes, especially with what is now known about CTE and other brain injuries.

The next fight was between two women, which was never that popular, but recently more and more women are beginning to fight. After that there were some younger guys who were really sluggers. They had some huge hits on each other. The one fight ended in a TKO after repeated body and head shots. The referee put an end to that one.

To split the fights up there were a couple of side shows or “acts.” There were 4 out of shape guys dressed up as fighters and put in the ring. Then the referee blind folded them and they did this act where they were beating each other up while tripping over each other and falling over the place. It was actually pretty funny! After that there was a sword fighting show. The two guys fighting with the swords were really skilled! They did a lot of dangerous and neat choreographed moves. There were a lot of Westerners in the crowd, and they were just eating this stuff up! That’s not what I was there for though!

I was there for my trainer, Teenoi’s fight! This is a picture of him before he steps into the ring. The headpiece that all fighters where before they step in the ring is supposedly ceremonially blessed by a Buddhist monk. Then both fighters go through a traditional dance called the Wai Kru. The dance is done to pay homage to their teachers and family. It also done to bless the fighter for victory in the ring. Each gym has their own dance that is passed down to the fighters from their trainers. After the dance, the fighting starts. Teenoi was doing a really great down in the “clinch.” The clinch is when both fighters are tied up together and essentially head locking each other. There is a lot of technique involved and Teenoi obviously was the superior technician as he used his skill to throw his opponent onto the canvas several times. After a couple more clinches Teenoi started landing some heavy knee shots to the other fighter’s ribs. After a couple of knock downs it only took one big blow for the referee to stop the fight. Teenoi and Team Quest Thailand got the win this time!

Coming up next is my adventures at the Loy Krathong and Yee Peng Lantern Festivals! Check back soon!